Do you hate that feeling of not knowing whether or not you should go and check out a movie? Let me help you decide.
Bedtime Stories
This is one of those movies where you essentially saw the movie by watching the trailer for it. There was nothing different or unexpected whatsoever. Its basically a watered down Adam Sandler movie so that younger kids can enjoy it. Stinka loved it and honestly that's all that really mattered to me while watching this. There were your usual, occasional laughs during the movie and it wasn't unbearable by any means. It was actually pretty watchable for adults, but this movie was blatantly made for the kids and they will definitely end up enjoying it.
I would recommend taking the kiddies to check this one out. You probably won't enjoy it nearly as much as they do but you can enjoy the smiles on their faces.
The Wrestler
There's always one every year. Sadly, this was the one for me this year. The Wrestler is this year's winner of too much buzz ruining a movie for me. I know that Mickery Rourke's performance was great in this and the behind the scenes wrestling and has beens trying to hold on to past glory was awesome. Unfortunately, I found myself watching this movie wondering why everyone thought it was so great. I know that its my own fault and I hate it but it manages to happen to at least one movie every year. I actually named it the Mr. Holland's Opus effect years ago. I couldn't help wondering how Entertainment Weekly had this as their number one movie of the year the whole time watching it.
I'd still recommend people checking this out because Mickey Rourke's performance was really good but try to keep your expectations in check unlike me.
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
This was one of those awesome story telling movies. Like a Forrest Gump type movie. The idea was great. The storytelling was awesome. The makeup is definitely going to win an oscar. The performances were top notch. The only thing that hurt this movie was its 3 hour running time. There were numerous points throughout that you felt the pacing fall "off" and that's pretty much an automatic sign that the movie could have easily been two and half hours. That's really the only knock though. Outside of that, it was a really great and entertaining movie.
I would strongly recommend people checking this bad boy out . . . . . if they have the three hours to spare. Its more than worth the time if you have it though.
The Spirit
This movie was downright horrid. I couldn't even make it through the first twenty minutes without pulling the plug. For the record - it was 18 minutes. This movie was incredibly schlocky and over the top. I get that its based on a graphic novel and what not but this was just plain visually silly. The opening fight scene between The Spirit and The Octopus was what made me end up leaving. I hate to admit it but I think Samuel Jackson has reached the plateau of most annoying/hated actor in Hollywood. I wanted to throw my soda at him.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Its a big piece of dung thrown up there on the screen and is a complete waste of your time . . . . . even the 19 minutes I watched.
Revolutionary Road
This was one of the more powerful movies I've ever seen. It was done in such a way that it was an intense as a great horror or action blockbuster movie even though it was essentially a stream of fights between a couple. Honestly, this movie played out more like an off-broadway play than a movie. The chemistry between these two actors was amazing and I can't remember the last time that my eyes were that glued to the screen of such a "plain" movie. I can see them both getting nominated for their awesome performances and this should be in a dead heat with The Dark Knight for Best Score. Normally I would never acknowledge something like that but the random light piano playing really kept your nerves on end with the tension.
I strongly recommend everyone check this movie out. It is not a feel good movie by any means but is an incredibly powerful character drama that shouldn't be missed.
Yes Man
This was a pretty funny movie. It wasn't as funny as I had hoped. I was pulling for something in the ballpark of Liar Liar. This was full of good laughs but not hysterical. It actually turned out to be a really good date movie. Jim Carrey and Zoey Deschannel were really good together and his zaniness played off of her greatly.
I would recommend people checking this one out. Its not a must see but is a worthy watch because even though its not all out hysterical, the laughs were pretty good.
Slumdog Millionaire
This was a phenomenal movie. I never in a million years thought I would enjoy this movie as much as I did. The more great buzz I heard about it only made me doubt my possible enjoyment level of it that much more. However, it was worth all the hype. This could quite possibly win the Best Picture oscar. The storytelling was so well done with all the back and forth and how the parts of his past that explained his knowledge of questions during the game show was awesome. I was so fully enveloped in this movie and loved how it progressed and climaxed.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more. It really is a must see and is definitely one of the best movies to come out this year.
The Tale Of Despereaux
Was that plot summary long enough for you? Therein lies the problem with this movie. There was way too much going on and way too much information crammed in to your brain for a kids movie about a curious mouse. The other problem with this movie was that it wasn't just about Despereaux. I went to see this with two ten year olds and two six year olds. When I tell you that the difference for the five of us between when the movie was about Despereaux's tale and the movie was about one of the other three parralelling tales was like night and day. We loved Despereaux but couldn't care less about all the others. Despereaux was cute and entertaining (especially for kids) while the other tales were way too involved (and way over the kids heads). It wasn't necessarily a bad movie. It was just too much for a kids/family movie.
I wouldn't recommend anyone rushing to see this out with the kiddies. You're probably better off waiting to see if the other family fare is more entertaining.
Frost/Nixon
This was an exceptionally well done movie. The direction was great. The script was well written. The performances were phenomenal. I definitely see Frank Langhella getting nominated for a best actor oscar. The supporting roles of Sam Rockwell and Oliver Platt were awesome. I'm not, nor will I ever be, a history/government buff. However, this movie completely sucked me in to wanting to learn more. The build up between Frost and Nixon was better than most boxing heavyweight fights. It was done so well that you are literally sitting on the edge of your seat for the final day of their interviews even though you know fully well how its going to turn out.
I fully recommend everyone checking this movie out. Its an excellent movie and is probably one of the best ones to come out this year.
Seven Pounds
The movie studio was being so quiet about what this movie was about that it actually started to get annoying. Now having seen the movie, I understand because I still can't really tell you what its about. Apparantly, Ben Thomas has a lot of guilt about an accident in his past and finds it necessary to go to massive extremes seeking atonement. I found myself getting more and more frustrated as this movie went on because I couldn't tell for the life of me where it was going. To be completely honest, had Will Smith not been in this movie I would have thrown in the towel about half way through. However, since I am one of the millions across this land that are totally fascinated by Will Smith I toughed it out. I mean lets be honest here people, Will Smith (along with probably only Tom Hanks) is so beyond watchable that they could film him taking a dump for two hours and we'd all drop 10 bucks to watch it. Anywho, getting back to the movie - they push the whole mysterious angle way too much that by the time the payoff comes its not enough to truly satisfy the viewer.
I wouldn't really recommend this movie. Its not that its horrible or anything. It just doesn't really payoff enough in the end.
Gran Torino
This movie is easily one of the best movies to come out in 2008. I can't believe how much I was sucked in to this movie right from the start. Clint Eastwood plays the greatest "old school" old man role I've ever seen. His remarks and anger are equal parts powerful and hysterical to the viewer. Watching him warm up to what he once hated more than anything was amazing. This movie made me appreciate and respect WW's father more than I already did and it speaks volumes on how detached our generation and more importantly the generation after ours (the kids) are in today's world. Its remarkable what a difference a generation can make. This movie was nothing short of phenomenal.
I don't just recommend that everyone check this out . . . . . it gets the Must See stamp, people. Get out there and check this one out.
Milk
This movie was full of excellent acting performances. This is that type of movie where you could see 3 or 4 actors getting nominated for best supporting actor along with the obvious nomination that Sean Penn should get. He was excellent as Harvey Milk. The movie started off a little bit too gay. Sean Penn and James Franco pretty much just start going at it. Right off the bat I was wondering what the heck I had signed on for. However, it settled down and really got you interested in the evolution of Milk's rise in politics. New people were introduced very fluidly and the movie was very well done as a whole.
I strongly recommend that everyone check this one out. Just push through the first ten minutes or so and you will truly enjoy this powerful character drama.
Nothing Like The Holidays
This movie is literally like This Christmas for latinos. Its the same song and dance with the numerous children and their issues coming home for the holidays and everything magically works out because of the Christmas holiday. The only problem is that while This Christmas had a hook that made you care about the characters, Nothing Like The Holidays did not. Every cliche is pushed to the max and you find yourself bored watching it.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone checking this out. Its not even that good of a simple holiday movie to be honest.
The Day The Earth Stood Still
This movie was pretty much poop. It had all the potential in the world . . . . . at least from a visual effects standpoint but ended up totally missing the boat. These were the kind of visual effects you would find on a NBC miniseries. Add in the fact that there really is no emotional hook whatsoever along with the always atrocious Keanu Reeves, there really isn't much to write home about regarding this one. Even the big robot guy with the laser eye that could have been so awesome comes across as just plain silly. Daryl Hannah looked more intimidating in Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman than the robot did in this.
I wouldn't really recommend this movie to anyone. It would even be a tough sell for rental.
Punisher: War Zone
Why is it so hard to make a good Punisher movie!?! I was a huge fan of the Punisher comic book series and couldn't wait for them to put him on this big screen. Granted, this attempt isn't as bad as the original Dolph Lundren one from years back but it makes the last attempt with Thomas Jane as the Punisher look like a phenomenal movie by comparison. This movie just decided to up the gore in terms of the Punisher's attacks and the corniness of Jigsaw was beyond atrocious. I couldn't even make it through the whole movie. I pulled the plug when Jigsaw's brother started throwing himself in to mirrors to cheer up Jigsaw because he didn't like the way he looked in them. Seriously. That happened. Go back and read that again and ask yourself if you should ever see this.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to my worst enemy. Its a downright piece of steaming dung and is an insult to Punisher fans.
Delgo
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that most people have never even heard of this movie. I don't know why studios bother putting movies like this out there just for the sake of doing so. The thing that was really disappointing is that this movie had a really great voice cast and pretty good fantasy world storyline. Unfortunately, the animation was total garbage and it made you feel like you were watching a direct to DVD kids movie . . . . . that kids really wouldn't like either because of the above their heads, differing cultures story.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone checking this out. Not that you even really know it existed to begin with.